U.S. patent number 7,491,085 [Application Number 12/072,325] was granted by the patent office on 2009-02-17 for ribbon cable plug-in connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ERNI Electronics GmbH. Invention is credited to Juergen Lappoehn.
United States Patent |
7,491,085 |
Lappoehn |
February 17, 2009 |
Ribbon cable plug-in connector
Abstract
A ribbon cable plug-in connector (10) for connecting electronic
components includes a plurality of plug-in contacts (14a, 14b)
arranged in a plug-in connector element (11). A contact element
(12a, 12b) arranged on the plug-in connector element (11) is
provided for full-surface contact-making with an electrically
conductive ribbon cable shielding (17, 17a, 17b) which encloses the
ribbon cable (16) on its outside. For fixing the ribbon cable
shielding (17, 17a, 17b) on the contact element (12a, 12b) there is
preferably provided at least one clamping element (15a, 15b), which
is given a resilient configuration. The ribbon cable plug-in
connector (10) according to the invention allows contact between
the ribbon cable shielding (17, 17a, 17b) and the ribbon cable
plug-in connector (10) to be easily established and ensures a high
shielding level.
Inventors: |
Lappoehn; Juergen
(Gammelshausen, DE) |
Assignee: |
ERNI Electronics GmbH
(Adelberg, DE)
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Family
ID: |
37715323 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/072,325 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20080207044 A1 |
Aug 28, 2008 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11465318 |
Aug 17, 2006 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Aug 19, 2005 [DE] |
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10 2005 039 620 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/499 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6592 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
12/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/607,108,638,492,495,499,497 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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101 19 695 |
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Nov 2002 |
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DE |
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0 135 122 |
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Mar 1985 |
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EP |
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2 140 227 |
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Nov 1984 |
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GB |
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Other References
Meinke et al., "Taschenbuch der Hochfrequenztechnik,"
Springer-Verlag, 1956, pp. 6-11. (Spec, p. 2). cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Gilman; Alexander
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Collard & Roe, P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/465,318
filed Aug. 17, 2006, now abandoned which claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 of German Application No. 10 2005 039 620.8 filed
Aug. 19, 2005, which are incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A ribbon cable plug-in connector for connecting electronic
components comprising (a) a plug-in connector element that
comprises a plurality of plug-contacts, (b) a first contact element
arranged on the plug-in connector element for full-surface
contact-making with an electrically conductive ribbon cable
shielding that encloses an outside surface of a ribbon cable, and
(c) at least one clamping element which is cut out of the first
contact element, is arranged at the first contact element, and is
contacting the ribbon cable shielding wherein the at least one
clamping element is given a resilient configuration that provides a
resilient force onto the conductive ribbon cable shielding, and the
conductive ribbon cable shielding is clamped between the at least
one clamping element and the first contact element due to the
resilient force provided by the at least one clamping element.
2. The ribbon cable plug-in connector as defined in claim 1,
further comprising a second contact element, said first contact
element being arranged on a first side of a ribbon cable bushing
provided in the plug-in connector element, said second contact
element being arranged on a second side of the ribbon cable
bushing, said first and second contact elements contacting the
ribbon cable shielding on an upper surface of the ribbon cable or a
lower surface of the ribbon cable, respectively.
3. The ribbon cable plug-in connector as defined in claim 1,
wherein the first contact element is arranged adjacent to a ribbon
cable bushing provided in the plug-in connector element.
4. The ribbon cable plug-in connector as defined in claim 1,
wherein the first contact element comprises at least one recess
into which the ribbon cable shielding is pressed by the at least
one clamping element.
5. The ribbon cable plug-in element as defined in claim 4, wherein
the at least one recess is formed by cutting and bending the at
least one clamping element out of the first contact element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ribbon cable plug-in connector
for connecting electronic components.
2. Prior Art
DE 101 19 695 A1 describes a plug-in connector where each of the
two connector elements is provided with shielding plates. In the
plugged condition of the two connector elements, the shielding
plates are in substantially full-surface contact one with the
other. The plug-in connector comprises a plurality of plug-in
contacts, arranged in the form of two banks, which are configured
as pin contacts and slot contacts.
A possibility to make contact with a ribbon cable shielding, if
any, of a ribbon cable connected with a plug-in connection element
is not provided. In practice, such a connection is established, for
example, by the steps of lifting the shielding, which encloses the
ribbon cable, partially off the ribbon cable, twisting it at a
predetermined point, for example, and then soldering it to a
contact arranged on a printed wiring board external to the plug-in
connector. If the plug-in connector is to be detached later, this
is possible only by either separating or unsoldering the ribbon
cable shielding.
For making contact with the outer conductor, which coaxially
encloses the inner conductor, sockets or plugs of coaxial cables
known in radio frequency technology comprise a tubular contact
element, by means of which full-surface contact is established with
the outer conductor, the latter having first been lifted off the
insulation of the inner conductor. Fixing of the outer conductor on
the contact element is effected by screwing down the outer
connector shell. The outer conductor performs not only the function
of a return line, but also the function of a shielding. In addition
to ensuring a predetermined shielding level, the structure of the
coaxial cable also guarantees a predefined surge impedance.
From the relevant basic literature, for example a textbook entitled
"Taschenbuch der Hochfrequenz-Technik", Meinke H. and Gundlach F.
W., Springer-Verlag 1956, pp. 6-11, approximation formulas have
been known for determining the inductance of conductor arrangements
having different geometric configurations. Accordingly, a conductor
arrangement having a rectangular cross-section, for example, has a
lower inductance than a conductor that has a circular
cross-section.
In computer technology, ribbon cable plug-in connectors for
connecting drive controllers to the corresponding drives are known
that used to comprise 40 lines, for example. As the data transfer
rate increased, a need for a shielding arose which need is
satisfied today by ribbon cables which now comprise 80 lines, for
example, with a signal line and a shielding line associated to the
signal line provided in alternate arrangement. All lines, including
the shielding lines, are contacted individually in the plug-in
connection element, for example using insulation-piercing contact
devices.
Now, it is the object of the present invention to provide a ribbon
cable plug-in connector that allows contact to a ribbon cable
shielding to be made in a simple way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The ribbon cable plug-in connector according to the invention for
connecting electronic components comprises a plug-in connector
element that comprises a plurality of plug contacts. The ribbon
cable plug-in connector further comprises a first contact element
arranged on the plug-in connector element for full-surface
contact-making with an electrically conductive ribbon cable
shielding that encloses an outside surface of a ribbon cable. The
ribbon cable plug-in connector comprises further at least one
clamping element cut out of the first contact element for fixing
the ribbon cable shielding.
The at least one clamping element of the ribbon cable plug-in
connector according to the invention is given a resilient
configuration. The at least one clamping element is bent out of and
lifted away from the plane of the first contact element. The
lifting overcomes the resilient force provided by the resilient
configuration of the at least one clamping element. Upon
positioning the conductive ribbon cable in between the at least one
clamping element and the first contact element and releasing the at
least one clamping element, the conductive ribbon cable shielding
is clamped between the at least one clamping element and the first
contact element after the contacting due to the resilient force
provided by the resilient configuration of the at least one
clamping element.
The ribbon cable plug-in connector according to the invention
allows especially easy contact-making between the ribbon cable
shielding and the ribbon cable plug-in connector. A substantial
advantage further lies in the fact that the ribbon cable plug-in
connector provides a high shielding level because on the one hand
the ribbon cable shielding encloses the ribbon cable almost up to
the ribbon cable plug-in connector according to the invention,
while on the other hand the contact element takes over the
shielding function for that portion of the ribbon cable where the
ribbon cable shielding has been removed from the ribbon cable. Due
to the structure of both the contact elements and the ribbon cable
shielding low inductance is achieved for the entire arrangement,
which permits the arrangement to be linked to a circuit ground that
remains in the low impedance range even at higher frequencies.
The resilient configuration of the at least one clamping element
facilitates the connection of the conductive ribbon cable shielding
with the first contact element. During assembly of the ribbon cable
plug-in connector the at least one clamping element is bent out of
and lifted away from the plane of the first contact element whereby
the ribbon cable shielding can be pushed into its position below
the at least one clamping element. After the release of the at
least one clamping element, the at least one clamping element
presses the ribbon cable shielding against the first contact
element due to the resilient force provided by the resilient
configuration of the at least one clamping element so that reliable
contact is guaranteed.
Further, the strain loading capacity of the ribbon cable plug-in
connector contacted by the ribbon cable shielding is increased.
Advantageous further developments and configurations of the ribbon
cable plug-in connector according to the invention will be apparent
from the further embodiments.
According to one embodiment, the ribbon cable plug-in connector
further comprises a second contact element whereby the first
contact element is arranged on a first side of a ribbon cable
bushing provided in the plug-in connector element and whereby said
second contact element being arranged on a second side of the
ribbon cable bushing. The first and second contact elements are
contacting a portion of the ribbon cable shielding on an upper
surface of the ribbon cable or a lower surface of the ribbon cable,
respectively. With the aid of that feature, contact is made between
almost the entire ribbon cable shielding and the contact
element.
One embodiment provides that the contact element is arranged
adjacent to the ribbon cable bushing provided in the plug-in
connector element. It is ensured in this way that the shielding
function is taken over, in the area of the ribbon cable bushing,
directly by the contact element.
According to one embodiment, the contact element comprises at least
one recess, and the ribbon cable shielding is pressed into the
latter, and is keyed therein, by the clamping element. The recess
contributes especially toward increasing the mechanical stability
of the contact between the ribbon cable shielding and the contact
element. The fact that the ribbon cable shielding is pressed into
the recess at least in part, and is keyed therein, provides
especially efficient fixing.
Advantageously the at least one recess is formed by cutting and
bending the clamping element out of the first or the second contact
element, respectively.
Other advantageous developments and embodiments of the ribbon cable
plug-in connector will become apparent from the description that
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a ribbon cable plug-in connector
according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a ribbon cable prepared for
contact-making;
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a ribbon cable plug-in connector
according to the invention, prior to fixing a ribbon cable
shielding;
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a ribbon cable plug-in connector
according to the invention, after fixing of a ribbon cable
shielding; and
FIG. 6 shows a contact element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a ribbon cable plug-in connector
10 according to the invention having a plug-in connector element 11
on which a first contact element 12a is arranged that extends in
the longitudinal direction 13 of a plurality of plug-in contacts
14a, 14b--not visible in FIG. 1--arranged one beside the other.
At least one first clamping element 15a is provided for fixing an
electrically conductive ribbon cable shielding 17 that encloses a
ribbon cable 16. The ribbon cable shielding 17 comprises a first
portion 17a on an upper surface of the ribbon cable and a second
portion 17b on a lower surface of the ribbon cable.
The ribbon cable shielding 17 encloses a plurality of lines 18,
each of which is enclosed by a line insulation 19.
The first portion 17a of the ribbon cable shielding 17, on the
upper surface of the ribbon cable 16, is contacted by the first
contact element 12a and is fixed by the at least one clamping
element 15a. The second portion 17b of the ribbon cable shielding
17, on the lower surface of the ribbon cable 16, is contacted by
the second contact element 12b, not visible in FIG. 1, and is fixed
by at least one clamping element 15b, which likewise is not visible
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 shows a detail of the ribbon cable plug-in connector 10
illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, those parts that conform to the
parts illustrated in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference
numerals. FIG. 2 illustrates the way in which the first portion 17a
of the ribbon cable shielding 17 is contacted by the first contact
element 12a and the second portion 17b of the ribbon cable
shielding 17 is contacted by the second contact element 12b, which
is not visible in FIG. 2.
The first portion 17a of the ribbon cable shielding 17 is fixed by
the at least one first clamping element 15a on the first contact
element 17b, while the second portion 17b of the ribbon cable
shielding 17 is fixed by the at least one second clamping element
15b on the second contact element 12b.
A first recess 20a is provided in the first contact element 12a, in
the area of the first clamping element 15a.
The lines 18 enclosed by the line insulations 19 are guided into
the plug-in connection element 11 through a ribbon cable bushing
21.
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the ribbon cable 16, prepared for
being contacted by the first and the second contact elements 12a,
12b. An outer insulation 22, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which
surrounds the ribbon cable 16 on its outside, is indicated beside
the conductor 18 and its insulation 19 and beside the first and the
second portions 17a, 17b of the ribbon cable shielding 17.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show sectional views of the plug-in connector element
11, along a line passing through the ribbon cable bushing 21. In
FIGS. 4 and 5, those parts that conform to the parts shown in the
previous Figures, are again indicated by the same reference
numerals. FIG. 4 shows the way in which the first portion 17a of
the ribbon cable shielding 17 is contacted by the first contact
element 12a and in which the second portion 17b of the ribbon cable
shielding 17 is contacted by the second contact element 12b, prior
to being fixed by the first and the second clamping elements 15a,
15b, respectively, while FIG. 5 shows the situation after
fixing.
In FIGS. 4 and 5, a second recess 20b, arranged in the second
contact element 12b, is indicated in addition to the first recess
20a. Further, the illustration shows an insulation-piercing contact
device 23 of the plug-in connector 14a, intended for establishing
contact with the lines 18 of the ribbon cable 16.
FIG. 6 shows the first contact element 15a, formed for example as a
punching. The at least one recess 20a advantageously has been
punched out, and the part so punched out in part can be bent or
away from the plane of the first contact element 15a, at least
somewhat, may be bent at least slightly at an angle so as to form
the first clamping element 15a. The clamping element 15a comprises
a narrower portion 24 between the punched-out clamping element 15a
and the contact element 12a.
The ribbon cable plug-in connector 10 comprises the plug-in
connector element 11, in which a plurality of plug-in contacts 14a,
14b are arranged in the longitudinal direction 13 and by means of
which the lines 18 of the ribbon cable 16 are to be contacted. A
plurality of the plug-in contacts 14a, 14b are shown in the
Figures, arranged one beside the other, although the plug-in
contacts 14a, 14b may also be set off--not shown in the drawing--in
a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 13. The
plug-in contacts 14a, 14b are implemented, for example, as slot
contacts, corresponding to pin contacts arranged in the other
portion of a corresponding plug-in connector element, not shown in
the drawing.
The ribbon cable plug-in connector 10 is intended for connecting
electronic components by means of a ribbon cable 16. The ribbon
cable 16 comprises a plurality of lines 18, arranged one beside the
other, that are enclosed by line insulations 19. The ribbon cable
shielding 17, which preferably encloses the ribbon cable 16, is
provided as a common shielding for the lines 18. The ribbon cable
shielding 17 may be produced, for example, from a wire mesh. The
mesh may consist, for example, of a copper braiding which is
tin-plated. According to another embodiment, the ribbon cable
shielding 17 is implemented as a continuous conductive film, for
example as a copper film.
The ribbon cable shielding 17 acts to attenuate any undesirable
radiation of electric signals that are transmitted via the lines
18. Likewise, any undesirable input coupling of external radiation
into the lines 18 is diminished. The radiation in question may, for
example, be an electromagnetic radiation or a predominantly
electric field or a predominantly magnetic field.
As part of the assembly of the ribbon cable plug-in connector 10 to
the ribbon cable 16, the ribbon cable shielding 17 is lifted off
the line insulation 19 and is bent off away from the ribbon cable
16, at least in the area of the ribbon cable bushing 21.
In contrast to the way contact is made with the ribbon cable
shielding 17 in the prior art, which was accompanied by a
considerable deterioration of the shielding effect and by
considerable assembly effort, the arrangement according to the
invention comprises at least one contact element 12a, 12b arranged
on the plug-in connector element 11, which extends in the
longitudinal direction 13 of the plug-in contacts 14a, 14a and
which is intended to make contact with the ribbon cable shielding
17, 17a, 17b. Preferably, the contact element 12a, 12b extends over
the full width of the ribbon cable 16 and the ribbon cable
shielding 17, 17a, 17b, respectively.
The ribbon cable plug-in connector 10 according to the invention is
easy to assemble and additionally guarantees efficient shielding.
In addition to the ribbon cable shielding 17, the contact element
17a, 17b likewise takes part in shielding the plug-in connector 11.
The specific configuration of the contact element 12a, 12b,
extending in the longitudinal direction 13 of the plug-in connector
element 11, leads to low inductance of the arrangement,
corresponding to low surge impedance, so that the interfering
signals will be diverted to an electric circuit ground with low
impedance, up to high frequencies.
Contact is made according to FIG. 3 by cutting each ribbon cable
shielding 17 laterally and bending up the first and the second
portions 17a, 17b on the upper surface of the ribbon cable and the
lower surface of the ribbon cable, respectively, for establishing
full-surface contact with the contact element 12a, 12b. Any outer
insulation 22 present on the ribbon cable 16 is removed before that
step.
For establishing the contact, the ribbon cable 16, having been
prepared in accordance with FIG. 3, is pushed through the ribbon
cable bushing 21 until the at least one portion 17a, 17b of the
ribbon cable shielding 17 is in surface contact with the at least
one contact element 12a, 12b.
According to a simple embodiment, no further measures are needed as
the contact between the ribbon cable shielding 17, 17a, 17b and the
contact element 12a, 12b may already be adequately fixed as a
result of the contact established between the lines 18 and the
insulation-piercing contact devices 23.
Full shielding is achieved, to the extent possible, if the at least
one contact element 12a, 12b is arranged adjacent to the ribbon
cable bushing 21. In the extreme case, the contact element 12a, 12b
may extend almost fully up to the line insulations 19.
It has been assumed so far that at least the first contact element
12a is provided for contact-making with the first portion 17a of
the ribbon cable shielding 17. Preferably, however, both contact
elements 12a, 12b are provided for contact-making with both
portions 17a, 17b. In view of the assembly of the contact element
12a, 12b on the plug-in connector element 11, separate contact
elements 12a, 12b may be provided.
At least one clamping element 15a, 15b is provided for fixing the
first and/or the second portion 17a, 17b of the ribbon cable
shielding 17. Advantageously, the at least one first clamping
element 15a and the at least one second clamping element 15b,
respectively, are provided for both portions 17a, 17b.
The at least one clamping element 15a, 15b has a resilient
configuration. During assembly of the inventive ribbon cable
plug-in connector 10 the clamping element 15a, 15b, provided for
contacting the portions 17a, 17b of the ribbon cable shielding 17,
is initially lifted, which step is followed by pushing the portion
17a, 17b into its position below the clamping element 15a, 15b, and
the clamping element 15a, 15b is then released whereby the portion
17a, 17b of the ribbon cable shielding 17 is fixed on the contact
element 12a, 12b by the resilient force of the clamping element
15a, 15b. FIG. 4 shows the clamping element 15a, 15b in the lifted
position of the clamping element 15a, 15b, while FIG. 5 shows it in
the released position of the clamping element 15a, 15b. The lifting
of the clamping element 15a, 15b away from the plane of the contact
element 12a, 12b opposes and overcomes the resilient force provided
by the resilient configuration of the clamping element 15a, 15b.
This lifting can be accomplished by hand or other external force
(not shown).
According to an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the
contact element 12a, 12b comprises at least one recess 20a, 20b
arranged opposite a clamping element 15a, 15b. This feature has the
effect that the portion 17a, 17b of the ribbon cable shielding 17
is pressed into the recess 20a, 20b, at least in part, and is keyed
in that position by the clamping element 15a, 15b. FIG. 5 shows the
final position of the clamping element 15a, 15b after the clamping
element 15a, 15b has been released.
FIG. 6 shows an advantageous embodiment of the first contact
element 12a, produced from an electrically conductive sheet by
punching. Preferably, the at least one recess 20a is likewise
produced by punching. The remaining portion of the recess 20a is
formed into the clamping element 15a. To this end, the portion
remaining after the punching operation may be bent out or away from
the plane of the contact element 12a, at least somewhat, and may be
bent at least slightly at an angle. The separate second contact
element 12b or else the integrally formed contact element 12a, 12b,
which encloses the ribbon cable 16 in full, may also be produced in
the same way. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping elements
15a, 15b comprise the narrower portions 24 that facilitate bending
of the clamping element 15a, 15b for fixing the portion 17a, 17b of
the ribbon cable shielding 17.
* * * * *